How do you react to being told you won’t have a spot on the Formula One grid next season?
Well, according to Valtteri Bottas, the only logical answer is to complete an Ironman in your own backyard.
Bottas was informed on Thursday he and Zhou Guanyu would not be driving for Sauber next season.
Instead, Sauber, which will become Audi in 2025, will be represented by Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg and Formula Two championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto on the grid.
Bottas still has three races left before the season is through, but he’s not letting himself switch off physically just yet.
With two weeks until the grid reconvenes in America for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Bottas decided to spend his spare time by putting himself through one of the most gruelling physical challenges possible in the form of an Ironman.
An Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile (3.9km) swim, a 112-mile (180.2km) bicycle ride and a 26.22-mile (42.2km) marathon run.
Photographer Paul Ripke documented Bottas’ Ironman as the video begins with the Finn being woken up at the crack of dawn.
Bottas, who is already in his swimming trunks, leaps out of bed and dives into the pool in his backyard to begin the first leg of his Ironman.
The size of Bottas’ infinity pool meant he had to complete 208 laps to meet the 2.4-mile mark.
He briefly paused to drink a coffee and snack on some treats to give him some much-needed fuel before he continued smashing out laps in the pool.
As soon as Bottas completed the swimming leg, he races out of the pool to put on shorts, a t-shirt and some shoes before jumping on his Peloton.
It wasn’t long before Bottas’ shirt was off as towels covered the floor and the handlebars of the Peloton to soak up the sweat dripping from the Finn.
Bottas stops for lunch to replenish his energy reserves and immediately continues pedalling away.
The former Mercedes driver soon completes the bike leg before he takes a few steps over and hops on the treadmill to run a marathon.
Bottas’ partner, Australian Olympic cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, poked her head into the room to see how the F1 star is getting on.
German Olympic triathlon gold medallist Jan Frodeno also offered some support to Bottas via FaceTime.
The pain soon becomes all too much for Bottas as he grimaces before putting his feet on the outside of the treadmill.
Bottas eventually recommences his Ironman, with Ripke checking in on him periodically.
The 35-year-old soon finishes his marathon in the dark and celebrates with his arms outstretched in victory.
Bottas toasted his absurd physical feat with a glass of red wine and dinner by the pool alongside Cromwell.
All up, Bottas burned a staggering 7,101 calories and completed his Ironman in 10 hours and 57 minutes.
The figure is significantly more than what F1 drivers can burn during a race, which is estimated to be 1,500 calories.
Luckily Bottas has plenty of time to recover from his insane physical and mental feat ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place on November 24.
